CHAPTER THREE-Oh Kate

“Thank you, Maddy. Come on, I’m tired, I need to get home and deal with Kate. I will wait with you until your brother comes to get you.”

“Oh! I forgot to tell you I messaged my brother and told him I would get a ride. I should have asked you first.”

“It’s not an issue and I think the first order of my day tomorrow is to take you to pick out a vehicle, don’t even start, we are getting it.”

It was three in the morning when Philip reached home and as Andre pushed the door they heard shouting from the main bedroom. Philip raised his hand for Andre not to push him any further.

“Leave me alone Mike!”

“I love you Kate, what do you see in him?”

“Are you CRAZY? He has always been kind to me, all you want is a roll in the hay and now he found out, I feel awful!” Mike frowned.

“Do you love him?” Mike asked with a weird look on his face.

“In a way yes, he is not a bad person, he will make someone a good husband someday and I know that won’t be me but I’m not a robot!”

“Come with me, he fired me but I still have my house and some savings.” “WHAT? NO! I need to get myself in order, so this doesn’t happen again. Every time I see you, I will see his face and remember what WE did. I know we hurt him even though he hid it well. I can’t stay here, and you and I are OVER!” Kate yelled in tears.

Mike calmed down a bit.

“I do love you Kate and I know I hurt him, he hates me now.” “We shouldn’t have done it.”

“Yeah well, too late. I’m leaving, I will give you some time to re-think about being with me. You know how to find me. I need to go before he gets here.” “I’m already here.” Philip said as he appeared in the doorway.

“Don’t worry, I’m leaving.” Mike said as he walked past his brother without a word.

“Andre, you can head home, I will call if I need anything.” Philip said.

“Sir.” Andre said in a warning tone. She was afraid Kate would try something and hurt Philip.

“I’ll be just fine; Kate and I will have a nice chat.” “Okay.”

“I’m sorry Philip.” Kate said as she sat on the bed, still shaken from her shouting match with Mike.

“It’s okay Kate, I can take some of the blame for this situation. I made it easy for you and my brother, it was quite convenient. He isn’t bad person but I won’t be able to forgive him for this for a long while.”

“I will pack my things in the morning and get out of your hair. Can you give me some money to get a cab, the new bank card hasn’t arrived yet and I don’t have any cash on me.”

Philip pulled an envelope from his chair pocket and handed it to her. She took the envelope and opened it. Her eyes widened and more tears fell. “Are you sure about this?”

Philip smiled.

“I’m sure, as I said, I share the blame, think of this as my apology for making you suffer for these months.”

“Not suffer Philip, you were always kind to me, the money you gave me helped with my parents, so I am grateful.”

“Your parents are ill?” Philip frowned, why did he not know this? “Yeah, both have cancer, but they are fighters.”

“Come to me next week, I will give you some more.” “No! Thank you but no, I’ve taken enough.” “Kate, come see me next week.”

Kate smiled.

“Thank you, Philip, for everything and I believe I can trust you with this bit of information and I know you won’t harbor any ill will against me.”

Philip looked at Kate and guess it. “You are pregnant.” Philip smiled.

Kate nodded and the tears began again.

“This is wonderful news for you, I wish you a good pregnancy. Will you tell Mike?”

“He said he doesn’t want children so that is a no.” “Bastard.”

“Don’t blame him, I should have protected myself. I have to get a job and sort myself out.”

“I will set up a trust fund for the baby, you can message or email me with updates and if you need help with his care.”

“You would do that? You don’t even know if the baby is his.”

“Well, either way, you and I were in a relationship, that has to mean something. So even if the child wasn’t Mike’s, I would still help if you asked.” Kate got up, made her way over to Philip and bent down to hug him. He stiffened and she flinched.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” She pulled away and stepped back. “It’s okay, it’s a reflex, don’t take it personally.” Philip smiled genuinely.

“I need to get some sleep; I will take the guest room. For the record, you really are a good person, find the woman who is for you and love her hard. Good night Philip.”